Medical expert of the article
New publications
Follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Follicle-stimulating hormone is a peptide hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland. In women, follicle-stimulating hormone controls the growth of follicles before their maturity and readiness for ovulation. The synergistic interaction of follicle-stimulating hormone and LH stimulates the synthesis of estradiol by granule cells. In men, follicle-stimulating hormone controls the growth and function of the seminiferous tubules, in particular spermatogenesis.
At the beginning of the cycle, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone is higher than in the final stages of the menstrual cycle. The peak of the hormone concentration is observed in the middle of the cycle, simultaneously with the ovulatory peak of LH.
After ovulation, the level of follicle-stimulating hormone falls and again reaches the values observed in the early stages of the follicular phase at the end of the cycle.
Reference values (norm) of concentration of follicle-stimulating hormone in blood serum
|
Age |
FSH, me / l |
|
Children under 11 years of age |
0.3-6.7 |
|
Women: | |
|
Follicular phase |
1.37-10 |
|
Ovulation phase |
6.17-17.2 |
|
Luteal phase |
1.09-9.2 |
|
Menopause |
19.3-100.6 |
|
Men's |
1.42-15.4 |
[